U.S. patent number 10,573,991 [Application Number 15/827,068] was granted by the patent office on 2020-02-25 for cover member, cover unit, and connector.
This patent grant is currently assigned to J.S.T. MFG. CO., LTD.. The grantee listed for this patent is J.S.T. Mfg. Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Saki Katsumoto, Shinya Masada, Hiroyuki Matsumoto.
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United States Patent |
10,573,991 |
Matsumoto , et al. |
February 25, 2020 |
Cover member, cover unit, and connector
Abstract
A cover member which is to be mated with a connector member and
has a cover housing to be attached to an attached member. The cover
housing has a plurality of attaching parts for attachment to the
attached member. The attaching parts are formed so that the
directions of mating with the connector member are different
directions with respect to the attached member.
Inventors: |
Matsumoto; Hiroyuki (Yokohama,
JP), Masada; Shinya (Yokohama, JP),
Katsumoto; Saki (Yokohama, JP) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
J.S.T. Mfg. Co., Ltd. |
Osaka-shi, Osaka |
N/A |
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
J.S.T. MFG. CO., LTD.
(Osaka-shi, JP)
|
Family
ID: |
60782015 |
Appl.
No.: |
15/827,068 |
Filed: |
November 30, 2017 |
Prior Publication Data
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|
|
Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20180183173 A1 |
Jun 28, 2018 |
|
Foreign Application Priority Data
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|
|
|
|
Dec 28, 2016 [JP] |
|
|
2016-255121 |
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01R
13/501 (20130101); H02G 3/081 (20130101); H01R
13/5213 (20130101); H01R 13/60 (20130101); H02G
3/088 (20130101); H01R 13/443 (20130101); H01R
2201/26 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
H01R
13/50 (20060101); H02G 3/08 (20060101); H01R
13/52 (20060101); H01R 13/60 (20060101); H01R
13/443 (20060101) |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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H07-008971 |
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Feb 1995 |
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JP |
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2007010097 |
|
Jan 2007 |
|
WO |
|
Other References
Extended European Search Report for corresponding European Patent
Application No. 17209945.9, dated Jul. 18, 2018 (11 Sheets). cited
by applicant.
|
Primary Examiner: Nguyen; Truc T
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Kratz, Quintos & Hanson,
LLP
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A cover member that is mated with a connector member and has a
cover housing attached to an attached member, wherein the cover
housing has: a mating opening, for mating with the connector
member, formed on one side of the cover housing; a closed rear
surface formed on another side opposed to the mating opening; and a
plurality of attaching parts for attach en to the attached member,
wherein at least one of the plurality of attaching parts includes
an insertion opening to which the attached member is to be
inserted, wherein each of the attaching part is provided with a
latch part latched with a latched part provided on the attached
member that is inserted.
2. The cover member according to claim 1, wherein the attaching
parts are formed so that directions of mating with the connector
member are different directions with respect to the attached
member.
3. The cover member according to claim 1, wherein the attaching
parts include: a first attaching part with which the cover housing
can be attached to the attached member along a direction in which
the connector member is mated; and a second attaching part with
which the cover housing can be attached to the attached member in a
direction orthogonal to the direction in which the connector member
is mated.
4. The cover member according to claim 1, wherein the attaching
parts are formed so that directions of mating with the connector
member are the same direction with respect to the attached
member.
5. The cover member according to claim 1, wherein the attaching
parts include: at least an attaching part with which a direction of
mating with the connector member is a different direction with
respect to the attached member; and at least another attaching part
with which the direction is the same as at least one of the
attaching parts having the different directions are formed.
6. The cover member according to claim 1, wherein the cover housing
is configured to be attached by inserting the attached member to
the attaching part.
7. The cover member according to claim 1, wherein the cover housing
is configured to be attached by inserting the attaching part to a
hole part formed in the attached member.
8. A cover unit comprising: a cover member having a cover housing
mated with a connector member and an attachment auxiliary member
attached to the cover member, wherein: the cover housing has a
mating opening, for mating with the connector member, formed one
side of the cover housing and a closed rear surface formed on
another side opposed to the mating opening, a plurality of
attaching parts are formed on the cover housing, at least one of
the plurality of attaching parts includes an insertion opening, and
the attachment auxiliary member has a mounting part mounted on any
of the attaching parts, wherein each of the attaching part is
provided with a latch part latched with a latched part provided on
the attachment auxiliary member that is inserted.
9. The cover unit according to claim 8, wherein the attaching parts
of the cover housing are formed so that directions of mating with
the connector member are different directions with respect to the
attached member.
10. The cover unit according to claim 9, wherein the attaching
parts include: a first attaching part with which the cover housing
can be attached to the attached member along a direction in which
the connector member is mated; and a second attaching part with
which the cover housing can be attached to the attached member in a
direction orthogonal to the direction in which the connector member
is mated.
11. The cover unit according to claim 8, wherein the attaching
parts of the cover housing are formed so that directions of mating
with the connector member are the same direction with respect to
the attached member.
12. The cover unit according to claim 8, wherein the attaching
parts of the cover housing include; at least an attaching part with
which a direction of mating with the connector member is a
different direction with respect to the attached member; and at
least another attaching part with which the direction is the same
as at least one of the attaching parts having the different
directions are formed.
13. The cover unit according to claim 8, wherein the attachment
auxiliary member has a clip part inserted and fixed in a hole part
formed in the attached member.
14. A connector comprising: a connector member; and a cover member
having a cover housing attached to an attached member, wherein the
cover housing has: a mating opening, for mating with the connector
member, formed one side of the cover housing, closed rear surface
formed on another side opposed to the mating opening, and a
plurality of attaching parts for attachment to the attached member,
wherein at least one of the plurality of attaching parts includes
an insertion opening to which the attached member is to be
inserted, wherein each of the attaching part is provided with a
latch part latched with a latched part, provided on the attached
member that is inserted.
15. A connector comprising: a connector member; and a cover unit
including: a cover member having a cover housing mated with a
connector member and an attachment auxiliary member attached to the
cover member, wherein the cover housing has a mating opening, for
mating with the connector member, formed one side of the cover
housing and a closed rear surface formed on another side opposed to
the mating opening, a plurality of attaching parts are formed on
the cover housing, wherein at least one of the plurality of
attaching parts includes an insertion opening, and the attachment
auxiliary member has a mounting part mounted on any of the
attaching parts, wherein each of the attaching part is provided
with a latch part latched with a latched part latched part provided
on the attachment auxiliary member that is inserted.
Description
BACKGROUND
Technical Field
The present invention relates to a cover member, a cover unit, and
a connector having a protection function from water, dust, etc. in
a mated state with a connector member and capable of fixing the
mated connector member at any of a plurality of determined
positions.
Related Art
For example, in a vehicle such as a two-wheeled vehicle or an
automobile, as a member which is to attach and fix a connector
member, which is not used other than inspections, to a vehicle body
and to protect the member from water, dust, etc., for example, a
dummy cap is disclosed in JP H07-008971 U. The invention of the
dummy cap disclosed in JP H07-008971 U is the dummy cap including:
a cap part which is mated with an opening of a connector housing
disposing terminals therein and protects the terminals therein; a
clip part which can be latched/unlatched with respect to a fixed
member side. Moreover, the above described clip part is integrally
formed with the above described cap part.
SUMMARY
However, if the dummy cap disclosed in JP H07-008971 U is used,
attachment is carried out with the attachment direction which is
only in one direction, i.e., a horizontal direction with respect to
the fixed member. Therefore, the attaching direction is limited,
and workability may be impaired.
The present invention has been accomplished in order to solve the
problem of the conventional techniques as described above. It is an
object of the present invention to provide a cover member, a cover
unit, and a connector capable of selecting the direction of
attaching a connector member with respect to an attached member,
which is attached thereto.
In order to achieve the above described object, a cover member of a
first aspect of the present invention is a cover member that is
mated with a connector member and has a cover housing attached to
an attached member, wherein the cover housing has a plurality of
attaching parts for attachment to the attached member.
In a cover member of a second aspect according to the cover member
of the first aspect, the attaching parts are formed so that
directions of mating with the connector member are different
directions with respect to the attached member.
In a cover member of a third aspect according to the cover member
of the first or second aspect, the attaching parts include: a first
attaching part with which the cover housing can be attached to the
attached member along a direction in which the connector member is
mated; and a second attaching part with which the cover housing can
be attached to the attached member in a direction orthogonal to the
direction in which the connector member is mated.
In a cover member of a fourth aspect according to the cover member
of the first aspect, the attaching parts are formed so that
directions of mating with the connector member are the same
direction with respect to the attached member.
In a cover member of a fifth aspect according to the cover member
of the first aspect, as the attaching parts of the cover housing,
attaching parts with which the directions of mating with the
connector member are different directions with respect to the
attached member and an attaching part with which the direction is
the same as at least one of the attaching parts having the
different directions are formed.
In a cover member of a six aspect according to the cover member of
any of the first to fifth aspects, the cover housing is configured
to be attached by inserting the attached member to the attaching
part.
In a cover member of a seventh aspect according to the cover member
of any of the first to sixth aspect, each of the attaching part is
provided with a latch part latched with a latched part provided on
the inserted attached member.
In a cover member of an eighth aspect according to the cover member
of any of first to fifth aspects, the cover housing is configured
to be attached by inserting the attaching part to a hole part
formed in the attached member.
A cover unit of a ninth aspect has: a cover member having a cover
housing mated with a connector member and an attachment auxiliary
member attached to the cover member, wherein a plurality of
attaching parts are formed on the cover housing, and
the attachment auxiliary member has a mounting part mounted on any
of the attaching parts.
In a cover unit of a tenth aspect according to the cover unit of
the ninth aspect, the attaching parts of the cover housing are
formed so that directions of mating with the connector member are
different directions with respect to the attached member.
In a cover unit of an eleventh aspect according to the cover unit
of the tenth aspect, the attaching parts include: a first attaching
part with which the cover housing can be attached to the attached
member along a direction in which the connector member is mated;
and a second attaching part with which the cover housing can be
attached to the attached member in a direction orthogonal to the
direction in which the connector member is mated.
In a cover unit of a twelfth aspect according to the cover unit of
the ninth aspect, the attaching parts of the cover housing are
formed so that directions of mating with the connector member are
the same direction with respect to the attached member.
In a cover unit of a thirteenth aspect according to the cover unit
of the ninth aspect, as the attaching parts of the cover housing,
attaching parts with which the directions of mating with the
connector member are different directions with respect to the
attached member and an attaching part with which the direction is
the same as at least one of the attaching parts having the
different directions are formed.
In a cover unit of a fourteenth aspect according to the cover units
of the ninth to thirteenth aspects, the attachment auxiliary member
has a clip part inserted and fixed in a hole part formed in the
attached member.
A connector of a fifteenth aspect has the cover member according to
any of the first to eighth aspects and the connector member mated
with each other.
A connector of a sixteenth aspect has the cover member of the cover
unit according to any of the ninth to fourteenth aspects and the
connector member mated with each other.
According to the cover member of the first embodiment, in a case
where the connector member is to be attached to the attached
member, the connector member can be attached in an easily
attachable direction of the connector member.
According to the cover member of the second or third aspect, in a
case where the connector member is to be attached to the attached
member, the direction is not limited to one direction, and the
connector member can be attached in an easily attachable direction
of the connector member.
According to the cover member of the fourth aspect, in a case where
the connector member is to be attached to the attached member, the
connector member can be attached in an easily attachable
orientation of the connector member even though the directions are
the same direction.
According to the cover member of the fifth embodiment, in a case
where the connector member is to be attached to the attached
member, the connector member can be attached in an easily
attachable direction of the connector member.
According to the cover member of the sixth aspect, in a case where
the attached member is formed in a plate shape or a rod shape,
attachment with the attaching part can be easily carried out.
According to the cover member of the seventh aspect, detachment
from the attached member can be restrained.
According to the cover member of the eighth aspect, attachment can
be easily carried out by inserting, for example, the attaching part
formed in a projecting shape into the hole part formed in the
attached member.
According to the cover unit of the ninth aspect, attachment to the
hole part formed in the attached member can be carried out without
changing the constitution of the cover member, and, in a case where
the connector member is to be attached to the attached member, the
connector member can be attached in an easily attachable direction
of the connector member.
According to the cover unit of the tenth and eleventh aspect, in a
case where the connector member is to be attached to the attached
member, the direction is not limited to one direction, and the
connector member can be attached in an easily attachable direction
of the connector member.
According to the cover unit of the twelfth aspect, in a case where
the connector member is to be attached to the attached member, the
connector member can be attached in an easily attachable
orientation of the connector member even though the directions are
the same direction.
According to the cover unit of the thirteenth embodiment, in a case
where the connector member is to be attached to the attached
member, the connector member can be attached in an easily
attachable direction of the connector member.
According to the cover unit of the fourteenth aspect, attachment of
the attachment auxiliary member to the attached member can be
easily carried out.
According to the connector of the fifteenth aspect, the connector
member can be mated with the cover member, which is attached to the
attached member in the mating direction of the connector member
which is easily attachable.
According to the connector of the sixteenth aspect, the connector
member can be mated with the cover member of the cover unit, which
is attached to the attached member in the mating direction of the
connector member which is easily attachable.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
FIG. 1A is a perspective view showing a state in which a connector
of a first embodiment is attached to an attached member from one
side; FIG. 1B is a perspective view showing a state in which the
connector is attached to the attached member from a different
direction;
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the connector and the
attached member in the state shown in FIG. 1A;
FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the connector and the
attached member in the state shown in FIG. 1B;
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view at a line IV-IV of FIG. 2
according to the connector member;
FIG. 5A is a perspective view of a housing; FIG. 5B is a
perspective view from another side;
FIG. 6A is a front view of the housing; FIG. 6B is a rear view;
FIG. 6C is a cross-sectional view at a line VIC-VIC of FIG. 5A;
FIG. 7A is a perspective view from one side of a cover member; FIG.
7B is a perspective view from another side; FIG. 7C is a
cross-sectional view at a line VIIC-VIIC of FIG. 7A;
FIG. 8A is a front view of the cover member; FIG. 8B is a plan
view; FIG. 8C is a bottom view; FIG. 8D is a lateral view; FIG. 8E
is a lateral view from a different direction; FIG. 8F is a rear
view;
FIG. 9A is a perspective view explaining a case where the attached
member is attached to the cover member from the one side; FIG. 9B
is a perspective view showing a state in which the attached member
is attached to the cover member; FIG. 9C is a perspective view at a
line IXC-IXC of FIG. 9B;
FIG. 10A is a perspective view explaining mating of the cover
member to which the attached member is attached from the one side
and the connector member; FIG. 10B is a perspective view showing a
state in which the cover member and the connector member are mated;
FIG. 10C is a cross-sectional view at a line XC-XC of FIG. 10B;
FIG. 11A is a perspective view explaining a case where the attached
member is attached to the cover member from another side; FIG. 11B
is a perspective view showing a state in which the attached member
is attached to the cover member; FIG. 11C is a perspective view at
a line XIC-XIC of FIG. 11B;
FIG. 12A is a perspective view explaining mating of the cover
member to which the attached member is attached from the other side
and the connector member; FIG. 12B is a perspective view showing a
state in which the cover member and the connector member are mated;
FIG. 12C is a cross-sectional view at a line XIIC-XIIC of FIG.
12B;
FIG. 13A is a perspective view showing a state in which a connector
of a second embodiment is attached to an attached member from one
side; FIG. 13B is a perspective view showing a state in which the
connector is attached to the attached member from a different
direction;
FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of the connector and the
attached member in the state shown in FIG. 13A;
FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view of the connector and the
attached member in the state shown in FIG. 13B;
FIG. 16A is a perspective view of an attachment auxiliary member;
FIG. 16B is a perspective view from another side;
FIG. 17A is a plan view of the attachment auxiliary member; FIG.
17B is a bottom view; FIG. 17C is a cross-sectional view at a line
XVIIC-XVIIC of FIG. 16A;
FIG. 18A is a perspective view explaining a case where the
attachment auxiliary member is mounted on the cover member from one
side; FIG. 18B is a perspective view showing a state of a cover
unit in which the cover member and the attachment auxiliary member
are mounted; FIG. 18C is a cross-sectional view at a line
XVIIIC-XVIIIC of FIG. 18B;
FIG. 19A is a perspective view explaining a case where the cover
unit, in which the attachment auxiliary member is mounted on the
cover member from the one side, is attached to the attached member;
FIG. 19B is a perspective view showing a state in which the cover
unit is attached to the attached member; FIG. 19C is a
cross-sectional view at a line XIXC-XIXC of FIG. 19B;
FIG. 20A is a perspective view explaining mating of the cover unit,
in which the attachment auxiliary member is mounted on the cover
member from the first direction, and the connector member; FIG. 20B
is a perspective view showing a state in which the cover unit is
mated with the connector member;
FIG. 21A is a perspective view explaining a case where the
attachment auxiliary member is mounted on the cover member from
another side; FIG. 21B is a perspective view showing a state of the
cover unit in which the cover member and the attachment auxiliary
member are mounted; FIG. 21C is a cross-sectional view at a line
XXIC-XXIC of FIG. 21B;
FIG. 22A is a perspective view explaining a case where the cover
unit, in which the attachment auxiliary member is mounted on the
cover member from the other side, is attached to the attached
member; FIG. 22B is a perspective view showing a state in which the
cover unit is attached to the attached member; FIG. 22C is a
cross-sectional view at a line XXIIC-XXIIC of FIG. 22B; and
FIG. 23A is a perspective view explaining mating of the cover unit,
in which the attachment auxiliary member is mounted on the cover
member from the other side, and the connector member; and FIG. 23B
is a perspective view showing a state in which the cover unit is
mated with the connector member.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described
with reference to drawings. However, the embodiments shown below
show examples of a cover member, a cover unit, and a connector for
embodying technical ideas of the present invention and are not
intended to specify the present invention to these, and the present
invention can be equally applied to other embodiments included in
claims.
First Embodiment
First, a connector 10 according to a first embodiment will be
described with reference to FIGS. 1A to 12C. As shown in FIGS. 1A
and 1B, the connector 10 of the first embodiment has a connector
member 12, which is provided with at least one contact 54, and a
cover member 76, which is mated with the connector member 12; and
the connector member 12 and the cover member 76 are configured to
be mated with each other.
The connector member 12 of the first embodiment is to be used in
inspections, etc. of vehicles, etc. such as two-wheeled vehicles
and automobiles, and is to be used by being connected with a
counterpart-side connector member provided on an apparatus for the
inspection. On the other hand, in a case where the connector member
12 is not used in the inspections, etc., the connector member 12 is
fixed to a vehicle or the like and is protected from water, dust,
etc. by mating the connector member 12 with the cover member 76,
which is attached in advance to an attached member 162 provided at
a predetermined location of the vehicle or the like.
In this case, regarding attachment of the cover member 76 to the
attached member 162, the connector 10 of the first embodiment is
configured to be able to select, for example, a case where the
connector is attached so that the mating direction of the connector
member 12 and the cover member 76 is an approximately horizontal
direction with respect to the attached member 162 as shown in FIG.
1A and FIG. 2 and a case where the connector is attached so that
the mating direction of the connector member 12 and the cover
member 76 is an approximately perpendicular direction with respect
to the attached member 162 as shown in FIG. 1B and FIG. 3.
In other words, the cover member 76 is configured to be in a case
where the connector member 12 is horizontally mated with respect to
the attached member 162 as shown in FIG. 1A and FIG. 2 or in a case
where the connector member 12 is perpendicularly mated with respect
to the attached member 162 as shown in FIG. 1B and FIG. 3.
As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the attached member 162 of the first
embodiment is formed by a plate-shaped body having a width which
can be inserted into a later-described attaching part 104 or 122
formed on the cover member 76, and a latched part 164 boring part
of the surface of the attached member 162 is formed. On the
attached member 162, a protruding part 168 bulging in a protruding
shape is formed in a direction orthogonal to an inserting
direction, wherein the protruding part 168 is formed between a tip
part 166, which is to be inserted first into the attaching part 104
or 122 of the cover member 76, and the latched part 164.
Hereinafter, each constitution will be described.
First, with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6C, the connector member 12 of
the first embodiment will be described. The connector member 12 of
the first embodiment includes: at least one contact 54, in the
first embodiment, six contacts 54 on which an electric wire(s) 68
is(are) mounted, respectively; a connector housing 14 housing the
contacts 54; and a retainer 72 which fixes each of the contacts in
the connector housing 14. Moreover, in the connector member 12, a
resin-made seal member 74 which fills a gap with the cover member
76 mated is provided, and each of the electric wires 68 is provided
with a resin-made electric-wire seal member 70 which fills a gap
between the electric wire 68 and an electric-wire retaining part 42
(see FIG. 4) in the connector housing 14.
As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B and FIGS. 6A to 6C, the connector
housing 14 of the connector member 12 of the first embodiment has:
a front surface 16 on one side having an opening 18 to which the
cover member 76 is to be inserted; a rear surface 20 on the other
side, wherein insertion openings 22 to which the plurality of
electric wires 68 mounted on the contacts 54 are to be inserted are
formed; an upper surface 24 on which a lock mechanism 26 is formed;
a bottom surface 28 opposed to the upper surface 24; a first
lateral surface 30; and a second lateral surface 32; and these
surfaces are integrally formed of a resin material.
Moreover, in the inner side of the connector housing 14, a
pillar-shaped contact retaining part 34, which retains the contacts
54, are formed to project from the rear-surface-20 side toward the
front-surface-16 side, and, in the front-surface-16 side of the
contact retaining part 34, a plurality of contact insertion
openings 38 to which counterpart-side contacts (illustration
omitted) are to be inserted are formed.
Furthermore, in the contact retaining part 34, contact housing
parts 40 housing and retaining the contacts 54 are formed and are
communicating with the contact insertion openings 38. Meanwhile, in
the rear-surface-20 side of the contact retaining part 34, the
electric-wire retaining parts 42 retaining the electric wires 68
are formed and are respectively communicating with the insertion
openings 22 formed on the rear surface 20 of the connector housing
14. The contact housing parts 40 and the electric-wire retaining
parts 42 are formed to be communicated with each other,
respectively, in the contact retaining part 34, and the contact
insertion openings 38 in the front-surface-16 side and the
insertion openings 22 in the rear-surface-20 side are communicated
with each other.
Meanwhile, in the contact retaining part 34, lances 46, which fix
the contacts 54 housed in the contact housing parts 40, are
formed.
A gap part 36 is formed between the inner side of the connector
housing 14 in the upper-surface-24 side, the bottom-surface-28
side, the first-lateral-surface-30 side, and the
second-lateral-surface-32 side and the outer periphery of the
contact retaining part 34. Later-described part of the cover member
76 is configured to be inserted to the gap part 36. The
rear-surface-20 side of the outer periphery of the contact
retaining part 34 serves as a seal-member attaching part 44 to
which the seal member 74 is attached.
A retainer insertion opening 50 to which the retainer 72 is
inserted is formed on the second lateral surface 32 of the
connector housing 14, and, in the connector housing 14, a retainer
attaching part 52 to which the retainer 72 is attached is formed
from the second lateral surface 32 to the first-lateral-surface-30
side.
Furthermore, on the inner sides of the first lateral surface 30 and
the second lateral surface 32 of the connector housing 14, guide
groove parts 48, which are formed in groove shapes along the mating
direction, are formed, respectively. The guide groove parts 48 are
configured to be mated with later-described guide projecting parts
96, which are formed on the cover member 76, and guide the guide
projecting parts in the case of mating.
The lock mechanism 26 formed in the upper-surface-24 side of the
connector housing 14 is a part to be engaged with a later-described
engagement part 88 formed on the cover member 76.
As shown in FIG. 4, each of the contacts 54 of the first embodiment
has, in one side, a contact part 56 including a contact piece 58,
which is to contact a contact (illustration omitted) of the
counterpart-side connector member; and, in the other side, an
electric-wire connecting part 60 to which the electric wire 68 is
to be connected is formed. The electric-wire connecting part 60 has
a plurality of connecting pieces 62, and the electric wire 68 is
configured to be mounted by being sandwiched by these. Herein, the
connecting pieces 62 are configured to sandwich the electric wire
68 together with the electric-wire seal member 70. The electric
wires 68 mounted on the contacts 54 are connected to, for example,
various equipment, devices, etc. provided in a vehicle.
In the side of the contact 54 which is disposed in the
upper-surface-24 side of the connector housing 14, a lance latching
part 64 latched with the lance 46 formed on the contact retaining
part 34 is formed. Furthermore, in the
electric-wire-connecting-part-60 side of the contact part 56 of the
contact 54, a retainer engaging part 66 engaged with the retainer
72 is formed.
In assembling of the connector member 12, first, the seal member 74
is attached to the seal-member attaching part 44 formed on the
outer periphery of the contact retaining part 34, which is in the
inner side of the connector housing 14.
Then, the retainer 72 is inserted from the retainer insertion
opening 50 formed on the second lateral surface 32 of the connector
housing 14, and the retainer 72 is temporarily retained at a
predetermined temporal retaining position in the connector housing
14.
Then, the contacts 54 connecting the electric wires 68 are inserted
from the insertion openings 22 formed in the rear surface 20 of the
connector housing 14 so that the contact parts 56 are inserted
first, thereby housing the contacts in the contact housing parts
40. In this process, the contacts 54 are configured to penetrate
through a through hole (illustration omitted) formed in the
temporarily retained retainer 72, the lances 46 formed in the
contact retaining part 34 are configured to be latched by the lance
latching parts 64 of the contacts 54. When the lances 46 are
latched by the lance latching parts 64 of the contacts 54, the
contacts 54 are fixed to the contact housing parts 40 and prevented
from falling.
When the electric-wire seal members 70 attached to the electric
wires 68 are inserted in the electric-wire retaining parts 42, the
gaps between the electric wires 68 and the electric-wire retaining
parts 42 are filled, and water, dust, etc. are restrained from
entering.
Then, the retainer 72, which has been inserted from the retainer
insertion opening 50 of the second lateral surface 32 of the
connector housing 14 and been temporarily retained, is further
inserted to fix the contacts 54 to the connector housing 14. In
this process, the inserted retainer 72 is configured to be attached
to the retainer attaching part 52 in the connector housing 14 and
be engaged with the retainer engaging parts 66 of the contacts 54.
Hereinabove, assembling of the connector member 12 is completed
(see FIGS. 2 to 6C).
Next, the cover member 76 of the first embodiment will be described
with reference to FIGS. 7A to 7C and FIGS. 8A to 8F. The cover
member 76 has a cover housing 78 having: a front surface part 80 in
which a mating opening 82 to be mated with the connector member 12
is formed; a rear surface part 84, which is opposed to the front
surface part 80 and is closed; an upper surface part 86 on which
the engagement part 88, which is to be engaged with the lock
mechanism 26 of the connector member 12, is formed; a bottom
surface part 90, which is opposed to the upper surface part 86; a
first lateral-surface part 92; and a second lateral-surface part
94. The cover housing 78 has a box shape integrally formed of a
resin material.
The interior of the cover housing 78 serves as a housing space 98,
which houses the contact retaining part 34 of the connector member
12 inserted from the mating opening 82 formed in the front surface
part 80. The housing space 98 is hollow as shown in FIG. 7C.
The upper surface part 86, the bottom surface part 90, the first
lateral-surface part 92, and the second lateral-surface part 94 of
the cover member are configured to be inserted to the gap part 36
of the connector member 12 from the front-surface-part-80 side.
The cover member 76 has the plurality of, in the first embodiment,
two attaching parts 104 and 122. These attaching parts 104 and 122
include the first attaching part 104, which is formed in the
bottom-surface-part-90 side of the cover housing 78, and the second
attaching part 122, which is formed in the rear-surface-part-84
side.
The first attaching part 104 is provided at a position separated
from the bottom-surface-part-90 side, is formed to be connected by
an extending part 100 extending from the rear surface part 84, and
is formed so as to have an insertion groove part 120 for allowing
insertion of the bottom-surface-28 side of the connector member 12
to the part between the insertion groove part 120 and the bottom
surface part 90.
The first attaching part 104 is formed in a tubular shape which
surrounds the attached member 162 inserted therein, and the
first-lateral-surface-part-92 side and the
second-lateral-surface-part-94 side of the cover housing 78 are
configured to have a curved shape partially.
In the first attaching part 104, a first insertion opening 106 to
which the attached member 162 is to be inserted is formed in the
rear-surface-part-84 side of the cover housing 78, and, in the
interior thereof, a first disposition part 108 in which the
attached member 162 inserted from the first insertion opening 106
is to be disposed is formed.
At an approximately central part of the side of the first attaching
part 104 that is opposite to the insertion groove part 120, a first
latch part 110, which is to be latched with the latched part 164
formed on the attached member 162, is formed. The first latch part
110 includes a first piece part 112, which is elastically
deformable, and a first projecting part 114, which is projecting to
the first-disposition-part-108 side of the first piece part 112. On
both sides of the first piece part 112 of the first attaching part
104, first cutout parts 116, which are cutouts, are formed,
respectively, and both sides of the first cutout parts 116 serve as
first supporting projection parts 118, respectively.
In the cover member 76, when the attached member 162 is inserted to
the first attaching part 104 of the cover housing 78 from the
rear-surface-part-84 side, the connector member 12 is disposed so
as to be mated approximately horizontally with respect to the
attached member 162.
On the other hand, the second attaching part 122 is formed in the
rear-surface-part-84 side of the cover housing 78. The second
attaching part 122 is directly formed on the rear surface part 84.
In the first embodiment, a second insertion opening 124 to which
the attached member 162 is to be inserted is formed in the
second-lateral-surface-part-94 side, and the opening is formed in a
tubular shape using the rear surface part 84 as a surface so that
the attached member 162 inserted therein is surrounded. In the
second attaching part 122, a second disposition part 126 at which
the attached member 162 inserted from the second insertion opening
124 is to be disposed is formed.
At an approximately central part of the side of the second
attaching part 122 that is opposite to the rear surface part 84, a
second latch part 128, which is to be latched with the latched part
164 formed on the attached member 162, is formed. The second latch
part 128 includes a second piece part 130, which is elastically
deformable, and a second projecting part 132, which is projecting
to the second-disposition-part-126 side of the second piece part
130.
On both sides of the second piece part 130 of the second attaching
part 122, second cutout parts 134, which are cutouts, are formed,
respectively, and both sides of the second cutout parts 134 serve
as second supporting projection parts 136, respectively.
In the cover member 76, when the attached member 162 is inserted to
the second attaching part 122 of the cover housing 78 from the
second lateral-surface-part-94 side, the connector member 12 is
disposed so as to be mated approximately perpendicularly with
respect to the attached member 162.
On the upper surface part 86 of the cover housing 78, the
engagement part 88 is formed to project therefrom. The engagement
part 88 is configured to be engaged with the lock mechanism 26
formed on the connector member 12.
On the first lateral-surface part 92 and the second lateral-surface
part 94 of the cover housing 78, the guide projecting parts 96,
which are projecting along the mating direction of the cover member
76, are formed, respectively. The guide projecting parts 96 serve
as the parts which are to be mated with the guide groove parts 48
formed on the connector member 12.
Next, attachment of the cover member 76 to the attached member 162
and mating of the cover member 76 and the connector member 12 will
be described. In the first embodiment, as described above, the
cover member 76 enables selection of the directions of mating with
the connector member 12 with respect to the attached member 162
between the case where the cover member 76 is approximately
horizontally attached and the case where the cover member 76 is
approximately perpendicularly attached.
First, mainly with reference to FIG. 1A, FIG. 2, FIGS. 9A to 9C,
and FIGS. 10A to 10C, the case where the mating direction of the
cover member 76 with the connector member 12 is approximately
horizontal with respect to the attached member 162 will be
described.
In the case where the mating direction of the connector member 12
is approximately horizontal with respect to the attached member
162, as shown in FIGS. 9A to 9C, the attached member 162 is
attached to the first attaching part 104, which is formed in the
bottom-surface-part-90 side of the cover member 76. This attachment
is carried out from the rear-surface-part-84 side of the cover
housing 78 of the cover member 76 so that the tip part 166 of the
attached member 162 is inserted first to the first insertion
opening 106 of the first attaching part 104, which is formed in the
bottom-surface-part-90 side. In this process, the attaching
direction of the attached member 162 and the cover member 76 is the
same direction as the mating direction of the connector member 12
and the cover member 76.
As shown in FIG. 9C, the first latch part 110 formed on the first
attaching part 104 and the latched part 164 formed on the attached
member 162 are latched, and the attached member 162 inserted in the
first attaching part 104 is prevented from falling and is disposed
in the first disposition part 108 in the first attaching part 104.
In this process, since the protruding part 168 is formed on the
attached member 162, the attached member 162 is pressed in a
top-bottom direction in the first disposition part 108 of the first
attaching part 104. Therefore, the vibrations, etc. of the cover
member 76 are restrained, and stable attachment is enabled.
Then, the connector member 12 is mated with the cover member 76. As
shown in FIGS. 10A to 10C, mating of the cover member 76 and the
connector member 12 is carried out by causing the front surface 16
of the connector member 12 to be opposed to the front surface part
80 of the cover member 76 and inserting the opening-18 side of the
front surface 16 of the connector member 12 from the mating opening
82 of the front surface part 80 of the cover member 76.
In this process, the cover member 76 is configured to be inserted
to the gap part 36 between the inner side of the connector housing
14 of the connector member 12 and the contact retaining part 34,
and the contact retaining part 34 of the connector member 12 is
configured to be inserted to the housing space 98 from the mating
opening 82 of the cover member 76.
The bottom-surface-28 side of the connector member 12 is configured
to be inserted to the insertion groove part 120 between the bottom
surface part 90 and the first attaching part 104 of the cover
member 76. Furthermore, the guide projecting parts 96 of the cover
member 76 are configured to be mated with and guided by the guide
groove parts 48 of the connector member 12.
Furthermore, when the connector member 12 is inserted, as shown in
FIG. 10C, the lock mechanism 26 formed on the upper surface 24 of
the connector member 12 is engaged with the engagement part 88
formed on the upper surface part 86 of the cover member 76.
Hereinabove, mating of the cover member 76 and the connector member
12 is finished.
In this process, the connector member 12 is configured to be
attached so as to be approximately horizontal to the attached
member 162.
Next, mainly with reference to FIG. 1B, FIG. 3, FIGS. 11A to 11C,
and FIGS. 12A to 12C, the case where the mating direction of the
cover member 76 with the connector member 12 is approximately
perpendicular with respect to the attached member 162 will be
described.
In the case where the mating direction of the connector member 12
is approximately perpendicular with respect to the attached member
162, as shown in FIGS. 11A to 11C, the attached member 162 is
attached to the second attaching part 122, which is formed in the
rear-surface-part-84 side of the cover member 76. This attachment
is carried out from the second-lateral-surface-part-94 side of the
cover housing 78 of the cover member 76 so that the tip part 166 of
the attached member 162 is inserted first to the second insertion
opening 124 of the second attaching part 122, which is formed in
the rear-surface-part-84 side. In this process, the attaching
direction of the attached member 162 and the cover member 76 is the
direction orthogonal to the mating direction of the connector
member 12 and the cover member 76.
As shown in FIG. 11C, as well as the case where the above described
attached member 162 is attached to the first attaching part 104,
the second latch part 128 formed on the second attaching part 122
of the cover member 76 and the latched part 164 formed on the
attached member 162 are latched, and the attached member 162
inserted to the second attaching part 122 is prevented from falling
and is disposed in the second disposition part 126 in the second
attaching part 122. In this process, since the protruding part 168
is formed on the attached member 162, the attached member 162 is
pressed in the top-bottom direction in the second disposition part
126 of the second attaching part 122. Therefore, the vibrations,
etc. of the cover member 76 are restrained, and stable attachment
is enabled.
Then, the connector member 12 is mated with the cover member 76. As
shown in FIGS. 12A to 12C, mating of the cover member 76 and the
connector member 12 is similar to that of the above described case
of mating in the horizontal direction with respect to the attached
member 162, wherein only the direction is different. This mating is
carried out by causing the front surface 16 of the connector member
12 and the front surface part 80 of the cover member 76 to be
opposed to each other and inserting the front-surface-part-80 side
of the cover member 76 from the opening 18 of the front surface 16
of the connector member 12.
In this process, the cover member 76 is configured to be inserted
to the gap part 36 between the inner side of the connector housing
14 of the connector member 12 and the contact retaining part 34,
and the contact retaining part 34 of the connector member 12 is
configured to be inserted to the housing space 98 from the mating
opening 82 of the cover member 76. Furthermore, the guide
projecting parts 96 of the cover member 76 are configured to be
mated with and guided by the guide groove parts 48 of the connector
member 12.
Furthermore, when the connector member 12 is inserted, as shown in
FIG. 12C, the lock mechanism 26 formed on the upper surface 24 of
the connector member 12 is engaged with the engagement part 88
formed on the upper surface part 86 of the cover member 76.
Hereinabove, mating of the cover member 76 and the connector member
12 is finished.
In this process, the connector member 12 is configured to be
attached so as to be approximately perpendicular to the attached
member 162.
Hereinabove, mating of the connector member to the cover member 76
attached to the attached member 162 is finished.
By virtue of such a constitution, in a case where the connector
member connected by an electric wire to a device or the like
provided in a vehicle or the like is to be attached to the attached
member, the connector member can be attached in an easily
attachable direction.
In the first embodiment, the case where the direction of attaching
the cover member 76 to the attached member 162 is the approximately
horizontal direction with respect to the direction of mating with
the connector member 12 and the case where the direction is the
approximately perpendicular direction have been described. However,
no limitation is imposed by this, and the attaching part of the
cover member may be formed so that the direction facilitates
attachment of the connector member with respect to the attached
member.
The plurality of attaching parts may be formed so that the
directions of attaching the cover member 76 to the attached member
162 are the same direction. For example, a plurality of attaching
parts with which the direction of attaching the cover member to the
attached member with respect to the mating direction of the
connector member 12 is the approximately horizontal direction or
the approximately perpendicular direction can be formed.
A plurality of the attaching parts with which the directions of
attaching the cover member 76 to the attached member 162 are
different directions and a plurality of the attaching parts with
which the directions are the same direction may be formed.
In the first embodiment, the two cases in which the attaching part
of the cover member 76 is the first attaching part 104 and the
second attaching part 122 have been described. However, no
limitation is imposed by this, and three or more attaching parts
with which the attached member can be inserted from different
directions or different orientations may be formed.
In the first embodiment, the connector member 12 and the cover
member 76 are mated after the cover member 76 is attached to the
attached member 162 first. However, no limitation is imposed by
this. The cover member and the connector member may be mated first,
and, then, the cover member may be attached to the attached
member.
Second Embodiment
Next, a connector 10A of a second embodiment will be described with
reference to FIGS. 4 to 8F and FIGS. 13A to 23B. In the first
embodiment, the attached member 162 is formed in the plate shape,
and the attached member 162 is configured to be attached to the
attaching part 104 or 122 of the cover member 76. On the other
hand, in the second embodiment, an attached member 162A is formed
to have a hole part 170 having an opening in part of a plate body,
and a cover member 76 is configured to be attached to the hole part
170 via an attachment auxiliary member 140. The parts common to the
constitutions of the first embodiment are denoted by the same
reference signs, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.
As shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B, the connector 10A of the second
embodiment includes: a connector member 12, which is provided with
at least one contact(s) 54 used in inspections, etc. of vehicles,
etc. such as two-wheeled vehicles and automobiles; a cover member
76, which is mated with the connector member 12; and the attachment
auxiliary member 140, which is combined with the cover member 76
and is attached to the attached member 162A.
Similarly to the first embodiment, the connector member 12 of the
second embodiment is to be used in inspections, etc. of vehicles,
etc. such as two-wheeled vehicles and automobiles and is to be used
by being connected with a counterpart-side connector member
provided on an apparatus for the inspection. On the other hand, in
a case where the connector member 12 is not used in the
inspections, etc., the connector member 12 is fixed to a vehicle or
the like and is protected from water, dust, etc. by mating the
connector member 12 with the cover member 76, which is combined
with the attachment auxiliary member 140 attached in advance to the
attached member provided at a predetermined location of the vehicle
or the like. The cover member 76 and the attachment auxiliary
member 140 combined with each other will be referred to as a cover
unit 138.
Similarly to the first embodiment, the cover member 76 of the
second embodiment also has a structure capable of selecting a case
where attachment is carried out so that the direction of mating
with the connector member 12 is an approximately horizontal
direction with respect to the attached member 162A as shown in FIG.
13A and FIG. 14 and a case where attachment is carried out so that
the direction of mating with the connector member 12 is an
approximately perpendicular direction with respect to the attached
member as shown in FIG. 13B and FIG. 15.
In other words, the cover member 76 is configured to be in a case
where the connector member 12 is horizontally mated with respect to
the attached member 162A via the attachment auxiliary member 140 as
shown in FIG. 13A and FIG. 14 or in a case where the connector
member 12 is perpendicularly mated with respect to the attached
member 162A as shown in FIG. 13B and FIG. 15.
As shown in FIG. 14 and FIG. 15, the attached member 162A of the
second embodiment is a plate body, and the hole part 170 having an
opening in part of the plate body is formed. The hole part 170 of
the attached member 162A of the second embodiment is formed, for
example, in an approximately square shape.
Hereinafter, each constitution will be described. Since the
connector member 12 and the cover member 76 of the second
embodiment are the same as the connector member 12 and the cover
member 76 of the first embodiment, FIGS. 4 to 8F are referenced,
and detailed description will be omitted.
First, with reference to FIGS. 16A and 16B and FIGS. 17A to 17C,
the attachment auxiliary member 140, which is combined with the
cover member 76 of the second embodiment and constitutes the cover
unit 138, will be described. The attachment auxiliary member 140
has a main body part 142, which is to be placed on a first-side
surface of the attached member 162A; has, in one side of the main
body part 142, a mounting part 144 on which the first attaching
part 104 or the second attaching part 122 of the cover member 76 is
to be mounted and combined; includes, in another side, a clip part
150 to be attached to the hole part 170 of the attached member
162A; and, for example, these are integrally formed of a resin
material.
The main body part 142 is a plate-shaped body having an
approximately elliptical shape and is formed in a so-called skirt
shape, which widens as it gets close to the attached member 162A.
The widest clip-part-150 side of the main body part 142 serves as
the part to be placed on the attached member 162A.
The mounting part 144 is formed in the one side of the main body
part 142, in other words, in the upper side which is the opposite
side of the side in which the main body part 142 is to be placed on
the attached member 162A, and the mounting part is formed in an
approximately cuboidal shape. The mounting part 144 serves as the
part which is fitted in, mounted on, and combined with the first
attaching part 104 or the second attaching part 122 of the cover
member 76.
In the mounting part 144, at an approximately central part, a latch
groove part 148 to which the first latch part 110 of the first
attaching part 104 or the second latch part 128 of the second
attaching part 122 of the cover member 76 is to be inserted is
formed. A latched part 149 with which the first projecting part 114
of the first latch part 110 or the second projecting part 132 of
the second latch part 128 is to be latched is formed so as to
connect a groove of the latch groove part 148.
In the sides of both lateral surfaces 145a and 145b of the mounting
part 144, mounting groove parts 146 in which the first supporting
projection part 118 or the second supporting projection part 136
formed on the first attaching part 104 or the second attaching part
122 of the cover member 76 is to be fitted in and moved are formed,
respectively.
The clip part 150 includes: a pillar-shaped part 152 extending from
an approximately central part of the main body part 142 to the
other side, in other words, to the side in which the main body part
142 is to be placed on the attached member 162A; and a plurality,
for example, a pair of elastic piece parts 156 extending from an
end of the pillar-shaped part 152 to the main-body-part-142
side.
Each of the elastic piece part 156 has a step-shaped supporting
part 158, which supports the second-side surface of the attached
member 162A, and a taper 160 is formed between the end of the
pillar-shaped part 152 to each of the supporting part 158.
The attachment auxiliary member 140 and the cover member 76 are
combined to serve as the cover unit 138 (see FIGS. 18A to 18C and
FIGS. 21A to 21C). The cover unit 138 is combined when the mounting
part 144 of the attachment auxiliary member 140 is mounted on the
first attaching part 104 or the second attaching part 122 of the
cover member 76. Herein, the direction in which the cover member 76
and the connector member 12 are mated can be configured to be
different directions with respect to the attached member 162A in
the case where the mounting part 144 of the attachment auxiliary
member 140 is mounted on the first attaching part 104 of the cover
member 76 and the case where the mounting part 144 is mounted on
the second attaching part 122.
Next, assembling of the cover member 76 and the attachment
auxiliary member 140 constituting the cover unit 138 of the second
embodiment, attachment of the cover unit 138 to the attached member
162A, and mating of the cover member 76 and the connector member 12
will be described.
In the second embodiment, as described above, the cover member 76
of the cover unit 138 enables selection of the direction mating
with the connector member 12 with respect to the attached member
162A between the case where the cover member 76 is approximately
horizontally attached and the case where the cover member 76 is
approximately perpendicularly attached.
First, mainly with reference to FIG. 13A, FIG. 14, FIGS. 18A to
20B, the case where the mating direction of the cover member 76
with the connector member 12 is approximately horizontal with
respect to the attached member 162A will be described.
In the case where the direction of mating with the connector member
12 is approximately horizontal with respect to the attached member
162A, first, as shown in FIGS. 18A to 18C, the mounting part 144 of
the attachment auxiliary member 140 is mounted on the first
attaching part 104 of the cover member 76. This mounting is carried
out by inserting the first latch part 110 of the first attaching
part 104 of the cover member 76 to the latch groove part 148 of the
mounting part 144 of the attachment auxiliary member 140 and
fitting and moving the first supporting projection parts 118 of the
first attaching part 104 in the mounting groove parts 146 of the
mounting part 144.
Then, as shown in FIG. 18C, when the first projecting part 114 of
the first latch part 110 is latched with the latched part 149 of
the mounting part 144, it is prevented from falling, the latched
part 149 is disposed in the first disposition part 108 in the first
attaching part 104, mounting of the cover member 76 and the
attachment auxiliary member 140 is completed, and the cover unit
138 is completed.
In this case, the direction in which the cover member 76 is mated
with the connector member 12 and an axial direction of the clip
part 150 of the attachment auxiliary member 140 are approximately
orthogonal to each other.
Next, as shown in FIGS. 19A to 19C, the clip part 150 of the
attachment auxiliary member 140 of the cover unit 138 is attached
to the attached member 162A. This attachment is carried out by
inserting the clip part 150 of the attachment auxiliary member 140
of the cover unit 138 to the hole part 170, which is formed in the
attached member 162A, from a tip-154 side, which is opposite to the
main body part 142 of the pillar-shaped part 152.
In this process, since the tapers 160 of the elastic piece parts
156 of the clip part 150 abut the outer periphery of the hole part
170, the elastic piece parts 156 are inserted while they are
elastically deformed. Furthermore, when the clip part 150 is
inserted, the main body part 142 of the attachment auxiliary member
140 abuts the attached member 162A, and the tapers 160 of the
elastic piece parts 156 are detached from the outer periphery of
the hole part 170. As a result, the elastic force of the elastic
piece parts 156, which have been elastically deformed, is released,
and they return to original positions so that the supporting parts
158 of the elastic piece parts 156 are attached so as to support
the outer periphery of the hole part 170 of the attached member
162A (see FIG. 19C).
The attached member 162A is configured to be attached by being
sandwiched by the main body part 142 of the attachment auxiliary
member 140 and the supporting parts 158 of the elastic piece parts
156 of the clip part 150. Regarding the cover unit 138 attached to
the attached member 162A, the direction in which the cover member
76 and the connector member 12 are mated is approximately parallel
to the attached member 162A.
Then, as shown in FIGS. 20A and 20B, the connector member 12 is
mated with the cover member 76 of the cover unit 138. Mating of the
cover member 76 and the connector member 12 is carried out in a
manner similar to the mating of the connector member 12 and the
cover member 76 of the first embodiment. Detailed description
thereof is the same as that of the first embodiment and is
therefore omitted. Hereinabove, mating of the cover member 76 and
the connector member 12 is finished.
In this process, the connector member 12 is configured to be
attached so as to be approximately horizontal to the attached
member 162.
Next, with reference to FIG. 13B, FIG. 15, FIGS. 21A to 23B, the
case where the mating direction of the cover member 76 and the
connector member 12 is approximately perpendicular with respect to
the attached member will be described.
In the case where the direction of mating with the connector member
12 is approximately perpendicular with respect to the attached
member 162A, first, as shown in FIGS. 21A to 21C, the mounting part
144 of the attachment auxiliary member 140 is mounted on the second
attaching part 122 of the cover member 76. This mounting is carried
out by inserting the second latch part 128 of the second attaching
part 122 of the cover member 76 to the latch groove part 148 of the
mounting part 144 of the attachment auxiliary member 140 and
fitting and moving the second supporting projection parts 136 of
the second attaching part 122 in the mounting groove parts 146 of
the mounting part 144.
Then, as shown in FIG. 21C, when the second projecting part 132 of
the second latch part 128 is latched with the latched part 149 of
the mounting part 144, it is prevented from falling, the latched
part 149 is disposed in the second disposition part 126 in the
second attaching part 122, mounting of the cover member 76 and the
attachment auxiliary member 140 is completed, and the cover unit
138 is completed.
In this case, the direction in which the cover member 76 is mated
with the connector member 12 and the axial direction of the clip
part 150 of the attachment auxiliary member 140 are approximately
parallel to each other.
Next, as shown in FIGS. 22A to 22C, the clip part 150 of the
attachment auxiliary member 140 of the cover unit 138 is attached
to the attached member 162A. Similarly to the above described case,
this attachment is carried out by inserting the clip part 150 of
the attachment auxiliary member 140 of the cover unit 138 to the
hole part 170, which is formed in the attached member 162A, from
the tip part 166 of the pillar-shaped part 152 (see FIG. 22C).
Detailed description thereof is the same as the above description
and is therefore omitted.
Regarding the cover unit 138 attached to the attached member 162A,
the direction in which the cover member 76 and the connector member
12 are mated is approximately perpendicular to the attached member
162A.
Then, as shown in FIGS. 23A and 23B, the connector member 12 is
mated with the cover member 76 of the cover unit 138. Mating of the
cover member 76 and the connector member 12 is carried out in a
manner similar to that of the first embodiment. Detailed
description thereof is the same as that of the first embodiment and
is therefore omitted. Hereinabove, mating of the cover member 76
and the connector member 12 is finished.
In this process, the connector member 12 is configured to be
attached so as to be approximately perpendicular to the attached
member 162A.
Hereinabove, mating of the connector member 12 to the cover member
76 attached to the attached member 162A is finished.
By virtue of such a constitution, in a case where the connector
member 12 connected by the electric wire 68 to an apparatus or the
like provided in a vehicle or the like is to be attached to the
attached member, the connector member can be attached in an easily
attachable direction. Only forming the hole part 170 in the
attached member 162A enables attachment of the cover unit without
requiring a special shape.
In the second embodiment, the case where the direction of attaching
the cover member 76 to the attached member 162A is the
approximately horizontal direction with respect to the direction of
mating with the connector member 12 and the case where the
direction is the approximately perpendicular direction have been
described. However, no limitation is imposed by this, and the
attaching part of the cover member may be formed so that the
direction facilitates attachment of the connector member with
respect to the attached member.
In the second embodiment, the two cases in which the attaching part
of the cover member 76 is the first attaching part 104 and the
second attaching part 122 have been described. However, no
limitation is imposed by this, and three or more attaching parts
with which the attached member can be inserted from different
directions may be formed.
In the second embodiment, the connector member 12 and the cover
member 76 are mated after the cover unit 138 is attached to the
attached member 162A first. However, no limitation is imposed by
this. The cover member of the cover unit and the connector member
may be mated first, and, then, the attachment auxiliary member of
the cover unit may be attached to the attached member.
The second embodiment uses the cover unit 138, which is a
combination of the attachment auxiliary member 140 with the cover
member 76 in order to attach the unit to the hole part 170 of the
attached member 162A. However, no limitation is imposed by this.
Constitutions similar to the clip part formed in the attachment
auxiliary member may be directly formed in the cover member, for
example, at positions at which the attaching parts are formed so
that the cover member can be attached to the hole part of the
attached member.
* * * * *